Archived page, Electronic Bulletin 10, October 2006

IN THIS EDITION:

1. Launch of "Addicted to Fishing not Drugs" Project
2. Future Young Leaders in Recreational fishing.
3. Northern Fishing Clinic Tour
4. Marine Parks proposals for public comment.
5. Recfishwest presentation to the MPRA
6. Recfishwest Annual General Meeting and Election of Board Members.
7. Draft Business Rules for Trust Fund for Recreational Fishing
8. Recfish Australia Marine Protected Area Workshop
9. Recfishwest Executive Director Appointed to New Board of FRDC
10. North Mole Clean up and Keep Australia Beautiful WA's Litter Prevention Grants 2006/7
11. Provision of Rulers, Brochures and Signage
12. Research Result for Recreational Fishers
13. ACMA Proposed Submarine Protection Zone
14. Capel Beach Access Plan
15. Logue Brook Dam Recreational Fishing Access
16. Samson Science Project Update
17. Swan Catchment Council Coastal And Marine Update
18. Burrup Peninsular Plan Recfishwest Submission
19. South West Salmon
20. Whaler Shark Maximum Recreational Size Limit for West and South Coasts
21. Proposed ban on Swan and Canning River Cobbler
22. Commonwealth Bioregional Coordinator.
23. Fremantle Ports Outer Harbour Project

1. Addicted to Fishing Not Drugs.

The Recfishwest "Addicted to Fishing Not Drugs" project was one of the first proposals to be funded by the Australian Government Recreational Fishing Community Grants Programme. The objective is to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage kids to get out and fish with their families and friends.

The program was recently launched in Perth by the Federal Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation Senator Eric Abetz. See http://www.recfishwest.org.au/AFNDmediaReleaseLaunchAug2006.htm for more details.

Recfishwest took the opportunity to hold an informal meeting with Senator Abetz to discuss recreational fishing issues related to Commonwealth fisheries and biosecurity issues including our concerns regarding white spot disease from imported prawns.

2. Future Young Leaders

The recreational fishing industry is facing an increasing shortage of people willing and able to assume positions in advocacy and representation for the increasingly complex environment for which the industry impacts and is impacted upon. There is an urgent need to further develop the industry's ability to achieve its full capacity. The objective of this proposal is to bring together the next generation of recreational fishing leaders in a forum where they will be educated and mentored by a group of experienced and recognised leaders in recreational fishing advocacy and management.

Program mentors will provide participants with continued advice and support beyond the program term. The program ideally will unearth aspiring young leaders within the recreational fishing industry who are passionate about recreational fishing and are willing to volunteer to contribute to the management, development and extension of recreational fishing in Western Australia.

3. Northern Regional Fishing Clinic Tour.

Recfishwest recently completed its second annual Northern Regional Fishing Clinic Tour. Fishing Clinic Coordinator, Michelle Jennings commenced the Tour with clinics in Geraldton, Kalbarri and Shark Bay and continued northward completing clinics in 12 coastal towns as far north as Derby and Kununurra.

The clinics were attended by in excess of 1000 children through school and community fishing clinics. Messages presented included:- the Fish Today for Tomorrow message, the SunSmart message, the Addicted to Fishing Not Drugs message and general promotion of care and respect for the marine and coastal environment and proper fish handling.

Response and feedback to the clinics was very positive and many local schools and Shires are hopeful that the clinics can become an annual event. The tour also presented the opportunity for Recfishwest staff to meet with local anglers to discuss regional issues.

4. Marine Parks Proposals for public comment.

Proposals for three Marine Parks are currently out for public comment. Recfishwest has been involved in the process leading up to these proposals. In general, it seems that the hard work put in to these and other Marine Parks has resulted in some better outcomes for recreational anglers in these current proposals, although there are still some issues of concern.

Initial comments from some conservation groups are that they are unhappy with the proposals, and there is likely to be some pressure to increase the areas closed to fishing. Recfishwest will provide draft comments for interested recreational fishers who wish to comment. We would like to encourage recreational fishers to comment on these proposals even if you are happy with them, because positive comments are very important in supporting the positive parts of these proposals. We look forward to comments from any members.

Walpole Nornalup Inlets Marine Park. Recfishwest, represented by Mark Pagano, was part of the Focus Group for the Proposed Walpole-Nornalup Inlets Marine Park. Input from the broadly representative group was productive in seeing a reasonably well balanced Indicative Management Plan for the proposed Marine Park. Comments close 1st December.

Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. The Shoalwater Islands Marine Park Indicative Management Plan has been in drafting and consultation since before the inception of Recfishwest. Dept of Environment and Conservation acknowledges in the IMP that it lacks significant information regarding the area in question. "Grey" literature is quoted throughout the IMP. The addition of the proposed sanctuary Zone at Point Peron was a surprise for those involved in the consultative process as this was never a part of the proposed Marine Park. Comments close 27 October.

Capes - Geographe Bay/Leeuwin-Naturaliste/Hardy Inlet Marine Park. Mark Pagano represented Recfishwest as an observer at the community based advisory group that developed the Indicative Management Plan (IMP) for the Capes region. The plan includes considerable detail of the areas and the permitted activities. These includes alternatives for some areas which require comments about which is option preferred. Comments close 15th December.

5. Recfishwest presentation to the MPRA.

Recfishwest were invited by the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority to present to the Authority at its most recent meeting. Principal Policy Officer Mark Pagano and Chairman Des Wood discussed issues including the Recfishwest Wilderness Fishing policy and the concept of Wilderness Fishing Areas as a legitimate tool for Marine Park Management particularly in the context of MPAs at Rowley Shoals and the southern extension of Ningaloo Marine Park.

Discussion also ensued around the general topic of Sanctuary Zones in particular a call for the acknowledgement of different "types" of Sanctuary Zones - Scientific vs. Resource Reallocation. The issue of anchoring in Sanctuary Zones established to protect benthic biota was also raised. See http://www.recfishwest.org.au/PolicyWildernessArea.htm for the Recfishwest Wilderness Fishing Policy.

6. Recfishwest Annual General Meeting and Election of Board Members.

Will be held Friday 7.30 pm 27 October 2006 in the Bridge Room, Fremantle Sailing Club, "Success Harbour" Marine Terrace, Fremantle. Recent constitutional changes will allow two additions to the Recfishwest Board of Management; one will be the addition of a Public Board Member who can be part of a fishing club; the second will be the addition of a General Board Member who will be a representative of either the Australian Fishing Tackle Association (WA) or the Charter Boat Owners and Operators of WA Association, to be voted on at the AGM. For full details of the AGM, see the RFW website http://www.recfishwest.org.au/AGMNotice2006.htm

7. Business Rules for Trust Fund for Recreational Fishing

Recfishwest has developed a draft paper recommending the establishment of business rules for a trust fund for recreational fishing to ensure ongoing funding disbursement for programs critical to recreational fishing. This is principally significant in light of the Integrated Fisheries Management restructure of the Department of Fisheries that does not include a dedicated recreational fishing program. The Department of Fisheries has existing business rules that govern disbursement and management of commercial fishing derived funding.

8. Recfish Australia Marine Protected Area Workshop

Several Recfishwest staff and Board Members will be attending and presenting at the Recfish Australia Marine Protected Area Workshop to be held on 4th and 5th of November in Brisbane. The objectives of the workshop are:-

• To develop an understanding of the current and future status of MPA's at State and Commonwealth levels.


• To define engagement, develop processes and guidelines for adequate and early engagement of the recreational sector in the MPA debate.


• To identify the effects (social and economic) of MPAs on recreational fishers and fisheries, and develop alternative access arrangements in lieu of "lockouts".


• To identify and articulate the gaps in knowledge and understanding of recreational fishing activity in MPAs and to develop strategies and programs for research, development and extension to address them.


• To identify and develop the best tools and methods for recreational fishers to use in presenting their case for the rational establishment and review of MPAs.

9. Recfishwest Executive Director Appointed to New Board of FRDC

Frank Prokop has been appointed as a Non Executive Director to the new Board of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Franks appointment is until August 2009. The FRDC administers a total of $130 million in fisheries research funding and recreational fishing is becoming a major priority. Frank will formally resign from the WA Fisheries Research Advisory Body. Recfishwest has nominated Mark Pagano to represent recreational fishing interests at the WA FRAB.

10. North Mole Clean up and Keep Australia Beautiful WA's Litter Prevention Grants 2006/7

Recfishwest through Board Member Craig Bibra and Staff coordinated a community driven clean up at the North Mole in Fremantle on Sunday 6th August. The overall response was good with the high turn out indicative of a resounding success. More than 40 concerned recreational fishers from Recfishwest, Volunteer Fisheries Liaison Officers and the general public all chipped in to do their bit to help clean up the litter at North Mole. Although a large proportion of the rubbish at the North Mole cannot be blamed solely on recreational fishers, there was still a large amount of fishing line, bait bags, light stick packets and other tackle in the rubbish collected.

Through Board Member Craig Bibra and office staff, Recfishwest has submitted a funding application to Keep Australia Beautiful to establish a program based on education/extension and include clean up drives of popular recreational fishing locations in the metropolitan area including the North and South Moles and Hillarys Marina.

11. Provision of Rulers, Brochures and Signage

Recfishwest has concerns at the lack of recreational fishing signage at prominent recreational fishing platforms and boat ramps throughout Western Australia. For example there is not one single recreational fishing sign at any of the seven boat ramps in Broome. Recfishwest believes that education and extension is paramount to recreational fisher compliance with regulations. Recfishwest will be meeting with Dept of Fisheries to address these issues.

12. Research Result for Recreational Fishers

Recfishwest in partnership with the Department of Fisheries Research Division will submit an FRDC proposal seeking funds to develop and implement methods to effectively communicate the results of fisheries research to recreational fishers.

If successful Recfishwest and the Department plan to develop a Research Liaison Officer (RLO) position to provide this service and find new ways to involve the recreational fishing community in the collection of data for research. For example, the RLO will develop more researcher-fisher partnerships similar to those which have proved to be successful in the past for projects such as Samson Science and the Dhufish tagging program run through the Recfishwest Tagging Facilitator and to extend the Department of Fisheries Research Angler Program.

It is hoped that increased recreational fisher awareness of fisheries research matters and how that relates to them will foster a greater understanding and acceptance of future management arrangements related to that research..

13. ACMA Proposed Submarine Protection Zone

The Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) were recently given the power under new Commonwealth legislation to establish submarine data cable protection zones (PZ). The proposed WA PZ will extend one nautical mile either side of the submarine cable, so will be 2 nautical miles wide, commencing at the low-water mark and ending at a point which is approximately 51 nautical miles offshore, and encompasses what appears to be the area of highest concentration of recreational boat fishing usage in the metropolitan area.

The proposal prescribes activities to be prohibited in the PZ and include any type of net, rope, chain, or any other thing used in fishing operations that is capable of contacting the seabed in the water depth in which it is deployed; that includes rock lobster pots and anchors and "bottom bouncing" rigs.

Recfishwest is represented on the ACMA Protection Zone Advisory Committee by Mark Pagano. We have met with Department of Fisheries Research and Management personnel to explore available data to demonstrate current recreational fishing usage in the proposed protection zones.

14. Capel Beach Access Plan Changes.

The Shire of Capel proposed in their Beach Access Plan to exclude recreational fishing from large stretches of coastline and place further restrictions on vehicle beach access for recreational users and boat launching in the Shire of Capel.

Recfishwest's submission pointed out that the responsibility of fisheries management and the subsequent legislation lies solely with the Department of Fisheries under the Fish Resources Management Act. Recfishwest believes Local Government should not be using the Local Government Act 1997 to enforce what is essentially fisheries management issues.

The Shire of Capel has now decided not to implement the proposed restrictions on shore based anglers and will remove existing restrictions on beach fishing in the Capel Shire. To have this proposal overturned was an extremely good result for recreational fishers and was a collaborative effort between Recfishwest, Department of Fisheries and local residents in the Shire of Capel.

15. Logue Brook Dam Recreational Fishing Access

On Saturday 22nd July Mark Pagano presented on behalf of Recfishwest, RFAC and the Department of Fisheries at the Logue Brook Dam Forum in Harvey. The messages delivered included the following points:

• Recreational fishing stakeholders believe Government should re-examine its current policy that prevents recreation in or around public drinking water supply dams


• The Department of Water's state-wide policy No. 13 stipulates that recreational fishing may be allowed in these areas if the activity has been approved historically and the risk to the resource is accepted following community consultation


• The risk from recreational fishing is very small. The concept of 'risk management' rather than 'risk avoidance' in public drinking water sources in Western Australia needs to be considered as a strategy.


• Recreational fishing generates significant social/economic benefits to regional communities of the southwest.


• Logue Brook Dam is a focal area for the recreational marron fishery. Recreational fishers are not against more effective use of our water supply, however closures to dams once popular with recreational fishers has lead to increased pressure on the remaining water bodies where recreational fishing is still permitted


• Over 119,000 hectares of water which is available (or has been until recently) for domestic water supply can be fished in NSW and Queensland alone.

The Project team report to the Department of Water on the findings of the Forum on this matter were clear regarding Drinking Water Policy and Logue Brook Dam, that is the existing policy preventing recreation in public water supply dams should be reviewed. However Recfishwest still has some concerns about statements made in the report. See http://www.recfishwest.org.au/LogueBrookPresentation2006.html for the details of the presentation.

16. Samson Science Project Update

All tagging was completed in March 2006. In excess of 5500 Samson Fish were tagged during the first two years of this study. Samson Fish tagged west of Rottnest Island continue to be recaptured from the South Coast.

The most significant recapture coming from Kangaroo Island in South Australia, that particular fish was recaptured 210 days after being tagged and travelled over 2500 km during that period. More recaptures are expected over the coming months as fish return to spawning aggregations west of Rottnest Island. Kangaroo Island is recognised as the eastern most boundary of Samson Fish distribution on the South Coast of Australia. This recapture is significant as it highlights the importance of these spawning aggregations on the West Coast.

Future management implications for consideration; should Samson Fish spawning aggregations be protected, are they at risk? It is almost entirely a release fishery, post release survival is high and it represents an important charter and tourism industry.

17. Swan Catchment Council Coastal And Marine Update

Recfishwest Policy Officer Kane Moyle is Recfishwest's representative on the Coastal & Marine Reference Group of the Swan Catchment Council. The first project funded under the Council's 2006/07 Coastal & Marine Investment Plan is "Developing Indicators to Support Sustainable Use of Marine Assets in the Swan Region". The outcomes from this study could have significant influence on future Marine Park planning.

The selection of indicator species is an important component of the proposed research as is the location of sampling. Recfishwest's primary concern is that areas identified for research (Marmion, Rottnest and Shoalwater) correspond with existing or proposed marine parks and that these areas have been chosen to illustrate support for sanctuary zones as a fisheries management tool. Indicator species identified included snapper and dhufish, the research hopes to link baseline abundance and assemblages of these species to recreational fishing pressure in isolation of commercial fishing and environmental impacts.

If inferences are to be made from the study linking recreational fishing as the only component degrading the resource then we have serious doubts as to the legitimacy/defensibility of the project. We will continue to work with the proponents to ensure adequate consideration is given to our concerns.

18. Burrup Peninsular Plan Recfishwest Submission

Recfishwest's primary concern with the proposed management plan was the potential impact on community access to popular shore based fishing and boat launching locations on the Burrup Peninsula. Furthermore, the potential for the introduction of an access fee for the public to enter the Burrup Peninsula Conservation Reserve. See http://www.recfishwest.org.au/SubBurrupPenninsulaSept2006.htm

19. South West Salmon

Recfishwest will meet with the Minister for Fisheries to discuss South West salmon as one agenda item. Recfishwest will pursue an update on proposals for next year's season, in particular regarding commitment to commercial salmon fishing closures during the Easter holiday period.

20. Whaler Shark Maximum Recreational Size Limit for West and South Coasts

Recreational fishers take considerably less than 1% of the total take of dusky whalers in Western Australia but we are being asked to ban the take of all whaler species over 1.5 metres, while allowing the commercial sector to continue to target and sell all whaler species except dusky whalers.

Recfishwest believes the commercial sector is solely responsible for the critical state of dusky whaler sharks in the West Coast and South Coast regions of Western Australia and this view is supported by historic annual catch data. Recfishwest strongly opposes this proposal on these grounds.

21. Proposed ban on Swan and Canning River Cobbler

The fundamental concern is the health of cobbler in the Swan/Canning system. Recfishwest continue to seek support for a ban on the take of cobbler in the Swan and Canning Rivers. The predominant driver for their demise has been identified as loss of breeding habitat and water quality issues. Habitat enhancement has been bandied around as possible way to encourage recovery of this genetically unique stock of cobbler, and Recfishwest will support projects for habitat enhancement for Swan/Canning River cobbler.

The Labor Party policy for this current term in office includes a commitment to recreational fishers to "use the provisions of the Fisheries Adjustment Scheme Act to phase out commercial fishing in the Swan and Canning Rivers".

The commercial take of cobbler in the Swan/Canning Rivers is incidental and has declined significantly from substantial catches of 10 tonnes per annum in the late 1980s to negligible catches of less than 100kg per annum since 2001. Cobbler for sale in WA is primarily supplied from the South Coast, where 54 and 40 tonnes of cobbler were caught in 2003 and 2004. Clearly banning the take of cobbler in the Swan/Canning will not impact the availability of cobbler at seafood retail outlets or restaurants in WA.

22. Commonwealth Bioregional Coordinator.

In 2005 the Australian Government brought its program of regional marine planning directly under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) The plans are known as Marine Bioregional Plans to reflect the part of the EPBC Act under which they will be established. This initiative gives new impetus for Australia's Oceans Policy by streamlining the planning process. The process includes the identification and establishment of Marine Protected Areas in the Commonwealth managed waters around Australia.

Through funding provided by the Department of Environment and Heritage, Recfishwest Board member Terry Fuller has been appointed through Recfish Australia as Commonwealth Bioregional Coordinator for the South West region, which covers more than 1.3 million square kilometres of ocean waters from the eastern most tip of Kangaroo Island off the South Australian coast to a point level with Cape Inscription on the outer coast of Shark Bay off Western Australia.

23. Fremantle Ports Outer Harbour Project

The Fremantle Ports Outer Harbour Project is a report that provides the EPA's advice to the Minister for the Environment under section 16(e) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and the Western Australian Planning Commission on the proposal by Fremantle Ports and the Department for Planning and Infrastructure to develop a new port facility in Cockburn Sound.

Recfishwest's submission http://www.recfishwest.org.au/LetterOuterHarbourProjct.htm includes:-

• That provision is made to protect and guarantee public access regardless of what extra security requirements may be imposed on port facilities in the future.


• The existing small boat ramp at Sutton Road and access to Challenger beach will be affected by option 1. This ramp must be replaced nearby and access provided.


• Dredging must be managed to minimise the plume of sediments etc going into the Sound.


• That a fishing platform under the causeway bridge (similar to the Mandurah bridge) be provided which has wheelchair access for disabled fishers.

Recfishwest

Recfishwest is a representative body of dedicated and concerned anglers, which is independent of government and which represents all Western Australian fishers at the local, state and federal level.

Our fisheries continue to be under threat from pollution and deteriorating water quality. Increasing fishing pressures continue to reduce fish stock numbers and some non-selective, and at times destructive, commercial fishing practices add still further pressure. To try and cope with this pressure fisheries management is changing and Recfishwest is actively participating in these management processes whenever the interests of the recreational fishing community require presentation. Currently Recfishwest is one of the advocates placing submissions before the committee inquiring into Integrated Management of Fisheries.

Decisions are being made now which will affect future fishing opportunities for your children and grandchildren. One of Recfishwest's functions is to represent the needs of these future generations of recreational fishers and to maintain their access to their fair share of the states fish stocks, which are a community resource.

Specifically Recfishwest is your public voice whenever decisions which affect our fisheries, or access to them, are being made.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Recfishwest please contact the office on (08) 9246 3366, email to recfish@recfishwest.org.au or apply at the Recfishwest website, www.recfishwest.org.au



This page last updated on 13 October 2006.